Honne Academy of Jiu-Jitsu

“I have been a member at Honne Academy since December 2024. Since the day I set foot in this establishment, Sean and all the other coaches have been amazing! They take the time to explain the sport and guide you as you learn. It's remarkable what I have learned in such a short period of time. The welcoming spirit that everyone has with each other is very humbling. I bring my 13 year old son and 6 year old daughter here as well. They enjoy it very much and my 13 year old will be entering his first tournament this Saturday. Honne is home to me and my family!”

“Where do I even start? Our family has been part of the Jiu-Jitsu world for a while, but it wasn’t until we found Honne that we truly found home. My husband has trained since 2019, and for years, I sat on the sidelines—not because I didn’t want to join him, but because I never felt welcome or comfortable enough. My son trained with him too, but it was always a struggle to get him to go. The previous gym lacked culture and warmth. Yes, there were a few good people, but overall, it felt cliquey and disconnected. I once tried it myself and felt completely defeated after just 10 minutes. I was new and had no guidance—just people going hard without explanation. It wasn’t supportive, it wasn’t safe, and it wasn’t fun. So I gave up on being on the mats, but I still supported my husband from afar—making sure the house was taken care of while he trained and competed. I supported from the outside. Even during competitions, I saw a team with no unity and a lot of unnecessary drama. I never understood why he loved it so much… until we found Honne. At a tournament, my husband noticed a different kind of team—one that showed up for each other, cheered the loudest, respected everyone (even competitors), and radiated love, discipline, and family. That team was Honne, and after doing his research, he told me this was the place he wanted to train. I smiled and supported him, but secretly dreaded another gym experience. But then… our 11-year-old son came home after his first class at Honne and said, “Mom, you HAVE to see this gym. It’s NOTHING like the other one!” I was curious. My first interaction with Claudia and Sean (the owners) was at a competition. I was skeptical and guarded, unsure of whether to invest my most valuable resource—my time. But from the moment we sat with the Honne crew, I felt welcome. Sean greeted me like an old friend with a hug. Claudia? She’s sunshine in human form. If you know, you know. She remembers every name, hugs every person who walks in, and her energy is contagious. That night, I was genuinely excited to see the gym for myself. And yes—it smelled good, which was a sign for me, but I didn’t know just how special this place would become. I’ve now spent over a month and a half sitting on the pews, watching classes, and soaking in the atmosphere. What I witnessed is what I wished existed all along. A team that uplifts each other. Coaches that teach with heart and intention. Zero ego, no hierarchy—just humans supporting humans. Everyone is greeted by name. Belt color doesn’t matter. What matters is who you are as a person and teammate. Yesterday, I finally stepped onto the mats. I was nervous and felt out of shape, but none of that mattered. What I experienced was pure joy. I walked away feeling so full, so accepted, and honestly, a little sad that I waited this long to take the leap. Now, our whole family trains—my husband, our 11-year-old son, our 4-year-old son, and even our 3-year-old daughter. Watching all of us grow together on the mats has been one of the most beautiful and unexpected gifts. We’ve gone from being individuals in the sport to being a true team—in every sense of the word. Honne (which means your “true feelings” or “authentic self” in Japanese) is exactly that—it’s a place where you can be yourself, grow, and be part of something meaningful. It’s more than a gym. It’s a family. Sean and Claudia, thank you for creating a space that feels like home. Thank you for giving my family something we can all share and be proud of. For the first time, I don’t just support from the sidelines—I belong on the mats too. If you’ve been searching for a place that values respect, authenticity, and community, give Honne a try. You won’t be disappointed.”

“I can’t express enough how beautifully curated and welcoming Honne is. Sean and Claudia are as genuine and good as they come. The youth and adult classes are very well structured. The genuine care and compassion for others expressed by everyone here is overwhelming. Extremely positive environment and a loving and welcoming atmosphere. Honne is family, Honne for life!”

“Jujitsu has always been more than just a discipline to me. It’s a space where I confront my limits with purpose. Every roll, every challenge, is an invitation to walk the edge of my strength, endurance, and will, only to discover that edge is further than I believed. From day one, it demands everything you’ve got—and in return, it shows you that you’re capable of more. That truth never fades. It deepens. For young men and women, Jujitsu can be life-changing. It teaches resilience, humility, discipline, and confidence in a world that often chips away at those things. On the mats, you face problems, pressure, setbacks, and you have to adapt. You can’t lie or fake your way through it. It’s pure, honest struggle—and it builds mental toughness that carries far beyond the gym. And as an adult, the impact only grows. The people you train with become your tribe. Through effort and shared struggle, you form real bonds. In a world full of shallow connections, Jujitsu gives you something authentic. The confidence it builds isn’t loud. It’s not bravado. It’s quiet, internal, and rooted in knowing you can handle yourself because you’ve tested your limits again and again. I was looking for a place where my family and I could train together—somewhere that felt more like a home than just a gym. My first real taste of this place came from the outside, watching a competition where some of my friends were competing. But it wasn’t just their matches that caught my attention. It was another team’s energy that pulled me in. Their support for one another was electric. I found myself drawn to them in between matches, just to be near that booming, uplifting energy. Adults, kids—everyone was locked in together. The camaraderie was undeniable. That moment stuck with me. So I filled out a contact form, and Sean, the owner, called me directly. He told me there was something special about the culture there, something that’s hard to put into words. And with humility, he said it wasn’t because of him—it was because of the people. He could’ve tried a hundred different ways to explain it, but there are no words that fully capture the energy in this place. Walking into Honne isn’t like entering a gym. It’s like coming back to somewhere that’s been waiting for you. The smiles, the laughs, the way people light up when you walk in—it lifts you. And yeah, the place even smells good. I could go on and on about why you should come here. If you open yourself to it, this experience will change you. You’ll make lifelong friends, push yourself harder than you thought possible, and become a better human being—for yourself and for the people you haven’t even met yet. But here’s the thing. If I have to convince you, maybe this isn’t your place. Honne isn’t about hype. It’s about heart. And if you’re reading this and looking to grow, to challenge yourself, and to experience Jujitsu in a place filled with phenomenal leadership, training, and truly great people—then this is the place for you. It’s worth every second. You have my word. When you’re ready, I’ll be there. We’ll be there. Hope to see you soon. ☮️✌️”

“I cannot recommend Honne enough! From the moment I stepped on the mat for the first time, I felt welcomed and part of a community that truly supports you. The instructors are patient and knowledgeable. Wherever you are in your experience, they are able to break down very complex techniques for you to understand in steps. The atmosphere and environment at Honne is honestly what makes it the best. It’s tough training, but it is extremely rewarding. I have noticed a huge improvement in not only my skills and fitness level, but my confidence. The training is world-class, the space is extremely clean and well-maintained, and the sense of community is amazing. If you are a complete beginner, or if you have been practicing for years, Honne is the perfect environment for anyone to learn and grow. This academy has not only improved my jiu-jitsu, but has impacted all areas of my life in a positive way! 5 stars is an understatement!”